Re: ICT Comments

Ok, Joon makes a few interesting points, that I entirely disagree 
with =)

First Joon concedes, of the tossups listed, that he thinks the 
science was ok, but then every humanities question he lists,he 
concedes, are indeed suspect. I don't know about the science, but on 
the humanities, I'm with you there Joon.

I agree with Joon where he says that NAQT can't distinguish via 
knowledge as much because of the timed format. But let me reiterate, 
that does not excuse them from having the most well known clues at 
the start of questions, when there is space to differentiate more. In 
my eyes (and in the eyes of some of the people I've spoken to) this 
is a problem that has been endemic with pretty much every NAQT packet 
set.

Whats interesting to me is the way that Joon says that the NAQT 
questions are great, while simultaenously admitting (not so covertly) 
that he prefers questions with more clues:

"once again, paul, you are conflating "more speed-based/less 
knowledge-based" with "inferior." it's not. you (and i) may like it 
less, but that doesn't make it a worse product."

I am not disputed more speed-based; the question is of pyramidality.

Now admittedly, my praise of Penn Bowl was a bit to hasty upon second 
thought (though I was trying to say that Penn Bowl's quality is about 
on par with ICT, though they have 10 less months and a much poorer 
stable of writers) However, there is a glaring example of timed 
tournaments that can still challenge the best teams and 
simultaneously be faster questions. Joon, it will seem familiar to 
you... as you edited it! Yes, I'm talking about Cardinal Classic! Can 
you write pyrimidal timed questions? Lets see...

11. It was chosen ahead of The Battle with the Centaurs and The Riot 
of the Tipsy Bacchanals, and was selected by the master of revels, 
(*) Philostrate.  Besides the title characters, it includes moon 
shine, a wall, and a lion, played by such figures as Snout and 
Starveling.  FTP, name this Peter Quince-directed play within a play 
about ill-fated lovers starring Bottom in act five of A Midsummer 
Night's Dream.
Answer: Pyramus and Thisbe

1. It contains Bellum Civile and Troiae Halosis, along with tales of 
the Pergamene Boy and the widow of Ephesus, narrated by the poet (*) 
Eumolpus, who tries to divide Giton from his lover, the narrator 
Encolpius.  FTP, this occurs in which first century novel featuring a 
feast in Puteoli given by the wealthy freedman Trimalchio, written by 
Petronius Arbiter?
Answer: Satyricon or Satyrica

Well, these questions are all (in Word) 4 lines long or less... don't 
have giveaways in the first line... seem to test knowledge and are 
faster...

Is it really that hard? Its not so hard for Joon, should it be so 
hard for NAQT?

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